In a decision handed down by the Fair Work Commission on 6 July 2018, the content of the model term providing an entitlement for unpaid family and domestic violence leave was finalised. According to the decision, the model term will be inserted into modern awards with industry and occupational coverage as part of the 4 yearly review of modern awards and will be effective from 1 August 2018.

Last month, France claimed its second World Cup since its inception by defeating the fairytale story of the tournament, Croatia, 4-2 in an action-packed final. The match was filled with drama, with an own-goal, pitch invaders and heavy rain, but the outstanding display of sporting brilliance shone through.

In light of the ATO’s current position that income from cryptocurrency sales will generally be taxed under capital gains tax (CGT) provisions and increased scrutiny on cryptocurrency transactions, taxpayers should ensure they keep accurate records of cryptocurrency transactions.

Did you or do you currently hold cryptocurrencies? Did you sell any cryptocurrencies before finding out that the Australian Tax Office (ATO) would vigilantly tax cryptocurrency sales? Are you left scratching your head after reading the ATO’s guidance? If so, you are one of many Australians currently finding themselves in an uncertain tax situation.

This week Cruisin Motorhomes paid a $12,600 penalty following an infringement notice from the ACCC alleging a breach of the excessive payment surcharge laws as outlined in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The ban on excessive surcharge payments has been in place since September 2017.

LeBron to LABron – in the biggest off-season news in the NBA, the league’s pre-eminent player, ‘King James’, last week announced that he had agreed to a lucrative deal to play for its most famous franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Foreign companies that may be controlled by an Australian entity should review their decision-making based on the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Taxation Ruling, TR 2018/5 (TR 2018/5). It is timely for Australian groups with foreign-incorporated subsidiaries to consider whether they are appropriately managing tax residency risk by re-visiting and/or implementing tax residency protocols and ensuring that they can be applied practically.

This week the government released the Board of Taxation report on a new tax residency model for individuals with a position that further analysis and consideration on the key recommendations is required before the Government takes a position.

The Legislative Council have this week passed legislation to regulate labour hire in Victoria. The Labour Hire Licencing Bill 2017 (Vic) was passed by 21 votes to 19, with minor amendments to be returned to the Legislative Assembly for endorsement.

The new Franchising Code of Conduct (FCC)regime commenced on 1 January 2015 with the aim of updating franchising laws in Australia, including assisting franchisees in positions of weaker bargaining power.

The new financial year will bring in a number of changes to the property industry. Developers need to plan for these changes to ensure compliance and avoid any delays or other adverse implications once the amendments take effect.

The Fair Work Commission (Commission) have today determined that it is appropriate to increase modern award minimum wages by 3.5 per cent, raising the national minimum wage to $24.30 a week. The new changes come into effect from 1 July 2018.

The Commissioner of Taxation (Commissioner) has power pursuant to section 255-15(1) of Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA) to permit a taxpayer to pay off its tax debts by instalments in accordance with a payment arrangement. The recent Federal Court decision of Stojic v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2018] FCA 483 (Stojic), which dismissed an application by the sole director and shareholder of the taxpayer company to review a decision by the Commissioner to decline to exercise that power, provides two important lessons.

Amongst the tidal wave of criticism of the financial planning industry in the wake of the royal commission, education and ethical standards is one area a new amendment to the Corporations Act will seek to address from 1 January 2019.